I spend £30K on my high-maintenance looks each year but trolls say I’ll be ‘lucky to find man to take me to McDonald’s’
A self-confessed high-maintenance woman says she gets the “very best out of life” – splashing $37k [£30,114] on her appearance each year and never settling for “low-effort” men.
Koko Slunjski, 32, says she has been high maintenance all her life, and doesn’t think it’s anything to be ashamed of.
High-maintenance is defined as a person needing a lot of work to be kept in good condition – or someone who demands a lot of attention.
Koko splashes $37k [£30k] on her appearance alone every year – and has a seven-step skin routine.
Before meeting her partner, Koko says she faced a lot of criticism from men who thought she was “too much” and she believes it’s harder than ever to be a woman entering the dating world.
Koko, a content creator, from Miami, Florida, US, said: “High-maintenance just means you want the very best from life – and you’re not afraid to ask for it.
“My whole life, trolls told me I was asking too much – and I’d be ‘lucky’ if I got taken out to McDonald’s on a first date.
“I don’t expect men to do things for me – I’m likely already doing them for myself. But I will only date a man who wants to level up – who strives for bigger and better things.
“I’m trying to be the best version of myself – putting the work in, doing my workouts, reading self-help books – it can be hard to keep up.
“So, if you’re not able to keep up with that, why would I want you in my life?”
Koko says she’s been slated for being high-maintenance her whole life – even after moving to Miami from Croatia at the age of 22.
Her friends and family told her she “didn’t have to prove anything” by moving to the other side of the world – and she could have a happy life in her country.
But she wanted to strive for “something more than a nine-to-five” – which she says wouldn’t be possible in Croatia.
She said: “I moved to the US when I was 22 – my whole family is in Croatia. They said I didn’t have to prove anything, and I could be happy there.
“A lot of people asked me ‘why are you doing this? Why can’t you just be happy with what you are?’ “Which is just not correct – I think you can be perfectly happy but strive for bigger and better things.”
Koko says she originally moved to Miami with $1,000 [£819] and just two suitcases.
Now, she spends thousands of pounds on her nails each year, has a seven-step skincare routine – including acid peels and regular facials, and aspires to be a “female CEO”.
In just one year, Koko spends $1,300 on Russian manicures, $600 on pedicures, $3,00 on hair maintenance, $2,000 on skincare and at least $30k on clothing.
“I’m not just a rich girl,” Koko said.
“Everything I’ve had, I built myself. It’s not easy being high-maintenance at all – I get a lot of trolling.
“It just makes me sad that instead of trying to level-up themselves, they try to drag people down with them.
“You have to be levelling up in every aspect of your life – friendships, career, relationships… there’s a lot of work you have to put in.
“It’s not just about your physical appearance – but it’s still very important to me. I have a very intense skincare routine which is at least seven steps and I get my nails done every three weeks.
“English is not my first language – so appearance to me, is like communicating with someone before you even speak.”
As well as her appearance, Koko sees her six-month old micro Bernedoodle, Rocky, as an extension of herself.
She’s even been told by the doorman in her apartment that he “smells better than every other dog in the building”.
Despite investing into her appearance, career and friendships, Koko struggled to date before finding love with her partner – a 34-year-old equity consultant.
She said: “I’m 32 years old – this is the first time in my life I can confidently say what I like and dislike. When I was single, I was never really a blind-dater – or someone who used the apps.
“I was very social and ended up meeting men left and right. If someone wasn’t offering something to spark my attention, I wasn’t going to check out if we were compatible.
“I made it very clear to men that dinner is the only acceptable first date option if they want to take me out.
“But I don’t have to give a chance to every serial dater jumping from one coffee date to the next. I want someone to get to know me for me.
“My question to trolls would be – why aren’t you a little more selective on who you date?
“Why would you invite me out on a coffee date when I’m wearing a full face of Chanel make-up? That’s not how I choose to brand myself.”
Koko's yearly spend
- Russian manicures: $1,300 [£1,067]
- Pedicures: $600 [£492]
- Hair dye, toner: $3,000 [£2,463]
- High-end skin products like La Prairie, Biologique Recherche and La Mer: $2,000 [1,642]
- Designer clothing and accessories, like Skims and Tom Ford: At least $30k [£24.6k]
Koko wants to challenge the idea that “high-maintenance” is a bad thing – and says it’s not about being “lazy”.
She added: “A lot of people have this concept that high-maintenance equals lazy – like I expect other people to do everything for me.
“But I stepped out of my comfort zone with $1,000 [£813.67] and two cases. I built a life for myself. It’s hard work.”